Obituary of Thelma Joan Tibbitts

Thelma Tibbitts - mother, grandmother, partner, educator, expert carver and bridge life master -  died in the early morning on December 22, surrounded by close family. She was 92. 

Thelma was born in Medford, MA to Lucy and Fred Luscombe and was the sister of the late Fred Luscombe, Jr. and late Robert Luscombe.  After graduating from Medford High School, at the age 18, Thelma went on to pursue her undergraduate degree and masters at Boston University at a time when it was almost unheard of for women to attend college.

Thelma met and married the late Charles Landry. She was the loving mother of Karin Landry-Cassell and her husband John of New Castle, NH; Stephen Landry of Woburn, MA; Christine Kelly of Kittery, ME; Catherine Langtry & her husband Mark of Salem, NH;  and Brian Landry & his wife Kathleen of Burlington. 

She later married Karl Tibbitts and was the stepmother of Karla Shields & her husband John of Billerica, MA; the late Bonnie Landry, and the late Paul Tibbitts. 

Thelma retired as an educator from the Burlington, MA school system where she taught Math and English for more than 30 years in both Francis Wyman Middle School and Fox Hill Elementary School. Thelma became passionate about wood carving, winning multiple blue ribbons, and became a bridge life master traveling the world for tournaments. She also enjoyed painting, playing cribbage, and challenging her kids and grandkids to a rousing game of Uno or Rummikub. Spending time with her family was her greatest joy.

Thelma was the proud grandmother of Stephen Landry, Jr., Stephanie Reichin, Nicholas Landry, Jason Landry, Sara Langtry, Matt Champagne, Rob Champagne, Michelle Marconnot, and the late Melisssa Marconnot.  She is also survived by 9 wonderful great grandchildren.

Visiting hours for the wake will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn Street, Burlington on Friday, January 3 from 4-7 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the United Church of Christ Congregational Church, www.uccburlington.org, 6 Lexington Street, Burlington on Saturday, January 4 at 10 a.m.  Services will conclude with an interment at Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Burlington. 

Memorials in Thelma’s name may be made to The United Church of Christ Congregational at uccburlington.org/giving or th the American Cancer Society at donate.cancer.org . 

For online guestbook and video tribute see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net